Leland-Deer Creek Garden Club kicks o new year

By Guest Columnist Stephanie Patton

The Leland-Deer Creek Garden Club kicked off its new year with their September meeting, featuring guest speaker Dave Shanklin, who talked about woody ornamental plants. Shanklin holds a degree in ornamental horticulture from Mississippi State University and has extensive experience in bringing new plant varieties to market. He reviewed a list of native woody ornamental landscape plants that do well in the Mississippi Delta region. Among those plants recommended were different varieties of hydrangeas, hollies, crepe myrtles, abelia, vitex, beauty berry and possum haw.

Following Shanklin’s talk, Club President Patti Livingston welcomed new club members in attendance and encouraged all members to pick up the new club yearbook that includes all meeting information, committee assignments and projects.

Among the new projects planned for the year are the arboretum on the campus of Delta Research Extension Center, a garden tour of homes next June, beautification of the Jim Henson Exhibit grounds, participation in the summer library reading/litter control program, pollinator promotions, and others. These new projects were added to fifteen existing projects that will also continue this year.

“This club has a history of being very active in Leland, and our plans for this new garden club year will keep that legacy going,” said Livingston.
Committee reports included those from the Assistant Treasurer Gwin Cumbaa, Clubhouse Grounds chair Deborah Steen and Clubhouse rentals chair Patricia Maugh.

Stephanie Patton, who also serves as the River Roads District Director for Garden Clubs of Mississippi, reminded members to register for the District meeting to be held in Anguilla on October 1, hosted by the Rolling Fork Garden Club.

“Garden clubs from around the Delta will be bringing plant donations to Rolling Fork as part of our ‘Rooting for Rolling Fork’ initiative to help their community replant after the devastating March 2023 tornado,” said Patton. “The Rolling Fork Garden Club is working hard to put on a great meeting, and we want to support their efforts.”

Following the business meeting, club members were treated to lemon cake, chocolate chip cookies and petite wraps prepared by hostesses Judy Ross (chair), Hardie Frankel, Dorothy Huoni and Sandy Holland.

The next club meeting will be held on October 2 and will feature Linda Hiter, butterfly enthusiast, who will talk about providing habitat for butterflies.